Add your own scent to laundry

What essential oils do you use in homemade laundry soap? I have sweet orange and tea tree. I don’t want to smell like tea tree, and I am afraid sweet orange might stain the clothes or cause allergy. What kind of oils do you use? — Leigh, Florida

DEAR LEIGH:

When I make homemade laundry soap, I don’t add essential oil. Using Zote can give you some scent. But I’ve seen many recipes that include essential oil with no complaints of staining. Try lavender scent if you think the citrus might cause an allergic reaction. Or use 1/4 cup vinegar plus a few drops of essential oil vinegar in your machine’s softener compartment, or reuse a Downy ball. You can always add the essential oil (few drops on a damp cloth) in the dryer, but this doesn’t prevent static cling. It’s only for scent.

DEAR SARA:

Have you ever made boneless skinless chicken breasts and used crushed Doritos instead of breadcrumbs? I found several recipes, but I’d like to actually hear from someone who has made it. I’ve also seen recipes for Dorito chicken casserole, but I’m not interested in that. — Chele, New Jersey

DEAR CHELE:

It’s not bad. I prefer to use the recipe for chicken strips/fingers/nuggets than chicken breasts. You might want to season the chicken more, too. You can use taco seasoning if you’re using regular flavored Doritos. I don’t add seasoning because my kids prefer it plain. Here’s a basic recipe.

Preheat oven to 350 F. Spray a baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Dip chicken in egg and coat in Doritos. Bake for 30 minutes or until cooked through.

DEAR SARA:

How do you organize your shoes? Do you keep your own in your bedroom closet? Or keep everything by the door? If you have a lot, how do you keep them from getting mixed up? — Carla, Canada

DEAR CARLA:

We’re a family of six, so shoe organization is a must. I have shoe organizers (4-tier chrome and wood racks). One is in the front closet, and each member of my family has one in their bedroom closet. The front closet holds 2 pairs of shoes per person for that particular season and sports shoes. They don’t get mixed up because there are only two pairs per person, and the rest are in their own organizers. During the winter season, I use a boot tray in the entryway and have a vinyl runner (covers part of the entryway area rug) that leads from the front door to the closet. The floor is slate, so any wet snow that goes off the runner wipes up easily.

DEAR SARA:

Help! Save my pretty light-blue shirt! I accidentally spilled cream soda all over my brand new light-blue t-shirt. I was at a movie theater when I did it (free passes!) so I couldn’t exactly run home and throw it in the wash. Now it’s dried in. How do I get it out? — Nada, Canada

DEAR NADA:

You can use a bar of Fels Naptha. Wet the shirt and rub the bar onto the stain. Wash as usual and check if the stain is gone before drying it. If that doesn’t work, try Oxi Clean or make your own by mixing 1/4 cup Powdered Clorox II, 1/4 cup powdered Cascade dishwasher detergent and 5 quarts hot water. Soak your shirt overnight and wash as usual.